Defiant Warner learns lessons

DAVID Warner’s career-best century might have been long overdue, but the sacrifices made to turn his fortunes around on spinning decks has provided a blueprint for a lost Australian team.

The normally bulletproof opener admits he doubted on last year’s forgettable tour of Sri Lanka whether he could ever master the sub-continent, and he hopes Australia’s Test rookies can learn a lot quicker than what he has, although he admits there’s no magic fix to the current plight.

Warner has revealed the secret to a great ton in Dhaka was to mentally and physically break himself, in a pre-season aimed at perfecting the fitness and mindset of a boxer.

Like a fighter must ensure his legs don’t turn to jelly in the 12th round of a bout, Warner discovered from a failed tour of India that he needed energy in his legs to keep pushing forward in oppressive humidity and in the face of unyielding pressure from turning balls and close-in fielders.

Warner came home from the Champions Trophy in June and threw himself into daily sprint work and running hills.

He pushed through 5-10km runs designed to train him mentally and offer him the power to keep thoughts clear even under peak duress.

On day four it crystallised in what Warner regards as his finest Test century.

Young batsmen could do

worse than examine the dedication Australia’s world-class leaders Steve Smith and Warner apply to their trade despite their rare natural talent, and then ask themselves if they could work harder on getting every ounce possible out of their careers.

Warner makes the stark admission that he can’t unlock the riddle of Australia’s batting woes on the sub-continent, but the tale of his Dhaka century brings its own lessons.

“What is the answer? I’m not sure. I can’t think off the top of my head, but you have got to dig deep as much as you can in these conditions,” he said.

“I’ve been there before, it’s not a great place to tour if you are not doing well … that (selfdoubt) probably hit me in Sri Lanka, I felt I was getting beaten all the time on the inside.

“It has taken probably longer than I expected … but hopefully my time has come now.

“You find these challenges rewarding eventually when you get on top, but it is very, very hard work.”